Missouri Revised Statutes Title VI. County, Township and Political Subdivision Government § 65.550. Proceedings in case of neglect or refusal to organize

1. In case any township in any county in which township organization has been or may hereafter be adopted shall refuse or neglect to organize and elect township officers at the time required by law for holding township elections, it shall be lawful for any twelve residents of the township to call a township meeting for the purposes described in this section, by posting up notices in five public places of the township, giving at least ten days' notice of such meeting, setting forth the time, place and object of such meeting; and the electors, when assembled by virtue of such notice, shall have all the powers conferred upon them at the regular township election.

2. In case no such notice shall be given within thirty days after the time for holding the regular township elections, the county commission shall, upon the affidavit of any resident of the township, filed in the office of the county clerk, setting forth the facts, proceed at any regular or special session of the commission to appoint the necessary officers for such township, and the persons so appointed shall hold their offices until others are chosen or appointed in their places, and shall have the same powers and be subject to the same duties and penalties as if chosen by the electors of the township.